Monson public supper set for Aug. 10

MONSON, Maine — The Monson Center for Community & Commerce will hold a public supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Center on Route 15 in Monson. Public suppers are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The menu includes roasted pork loin, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies, bread, salad, homemade desserts and beverages. Supper price is $8 for adults and $5 for children. All are welcome. For more information, call Nancy at 997-3684.

Big Brothers Big Sisters opens Bangor office

BANGOR, Maine — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine has opened a new office at the Bangor Y at 17 Second St. in Bangor. The agency is partnering with the Bangor Y and the University of Maine in Orono to provide one-to-one youth mentoring services in Penobscot County. The agency presently offers mentoring services to more than 300 youths in Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties and will be adding another 180 youths through their expansion into Penobscot County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring services to children ages 5-14 facing adversity. Many come from single parent or divorced families with low incomes and struggle socially and academically. Some have behavioral challenges, perform poorly in school, have low self-esteem, may distrust others or disregard authority. Matching these children with an older youth or adult allows them to receive support, guidance, encouragement and a positive role model as they learn to become confident and caring members of their family, school and community. Big Brothers Big Sisters nurtures each of these matches with training, activities and professional support.

At the start of the school year in September, the agency will be launching school-based mentoring at the Downeast and Fairmount Schools in Bangor, Lewis S. Libby School in Milford, Veazie Community School, Leonard Middle School and Old Town Elementary School in Old Town and at Leroy H. Smith School and Samuel L. Wagner Middle School in Winterport. Children at these schools will be matched with high school students from Bangor High School and Hampden Academy and college students from the University of Maine.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine and its services in Penobscot County, call 593-0380 or email matt@bbbsmcm.org.